DOINGWELL
TNAIOB
il\iTERVIETV
What Employers ReaIIy IAIant to Know
lnterviewing for a job is one of the hardest parts of the job searqh. You may be a bit
neryous about it yourself. You may have had a bad interview experience, and you don't look
forward to another. Most people end up getting rejected. And they don't like it.
But it doesn't have to be that way. In your case, you know what you want to do. And you
have the skills, experience, anci training to do it. All you have to do is convince the employer that
. you can do the job. This chapter and Chapter Eleven show you how.
Employer Expectations
Employers use an interview to evaluate you. Will you be able to do the job? Will you be
good
a
employee? lf they don't believe you are qualified and willing to work hard, you won't get
a job offer. lf you do meet their expectations, you may get an offer-or a referral. So you need to
know what to do and say in a job interview.
You looked at employer expectations in Chapter One. Because they are so important,
let's review them here.
Expectatlon
Do You Look Like the Right Person?
#1:
Appearance: First impressions do count!
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Paper work
Doing Wetl in
i1,...
a Job
Interview
81
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Expectation
#3:
Gets along wellwith others
ls productive
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Can You Do the Job?
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Skills;Experience,,frainil7
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ln one way or another, interviewers must find out about all these things. At every point in
the interview process, ihey are evaluating you-even when you might least expect it.
The following section breaks the interview into seven phases or sections. As you learn to
handle each one, you will be better able to meet an employer's expectations. Then you will be
much more likely to get a job offer!
Seven Phases of an Interview
No two interviews are alike. But there are similarities. lf you look closely at the interview
process, you can see separate phases. Looklng at each phase will help you learn how to handle
interviewswell.
The phases are:
;
Following up
Closing the interview
. The interview itself
. Opening moves
Before you go to the interview
.
.
.
Making a final decision
'. Salary negotiation
Every step of the interview is important. The following sections show you why and give
you tips for handling each phase.
Phase 1: Before You Go to the Interview
i--
Before you even meet, the interviewer can form an impressiOn of you.
^G.'.
^(Dv
What Do You Think?
fF
How? Write at least two ways:
1.
82
Doing.ff-ellin
a Job
Interview
2.
There are many Ways an interviewer can make judgments about you before you meet.
For example, you may have spoken to the interviewer or her secretary on the phone. You may
have sent her a resume or other correspondence. Or someone may have told her about you.
Before you meet an interviewer, here are some things to consider:
Appearance
You may not consider what follows as appearance issues, but they are. So be careful in
aiiyour eariy contacts with an empioyer. Do everything possibie io creaie a gooci impression.
Dress and Grooming
How you dress and groom for an interview varies frorn job to job. You will have to make
your own decisions about what is right for the job you're about to interview for.
Rule for Interview dress and grooming:
Dress (and groom) llke the Interviewer ls likely to be dressed-but cleaner.
You may not dress just like your supervisor, but looking like the boss is usualty a good
idea. Of course, different jobs and organizations require different styles of dress. For example, a
person looking for a job as an auto mechanic would dress differently than one looking for an
office job.
Because there are so many differences, there,are no firm rules on how to dress, But
there are things to avoid. Here are some important tips:
Don't wear jeans, tank tops, shorts; or other very casual clothes: Some clothing, even if it
looks good on you, just isn'i good for a serious interview. lf you are in doubt about anyihing
you're thinking of wearing, don't wear it.
Be ccnservative: An inter,riew iq not a good time to be irendy, Traditional styles are particularly.
important for offlce jobs and in large, formal organizations.
Check your shoes: One study found that employers reacted to the conditlon and style of a job
seeker's shoes! Unshined shoes were an indication, they felt, of someone who would not work
hard. Little things do count, so pay attention to everything you wear.
Colognes, aftershaves, make-up, Jewelry:Again, be conservative, Keep your make-up simple
and avoid too much of anything.
Careful grooming is a must: Get those hands and nails extra clean and manicured. Eliminate
stray facial hairs. Get a simple hair style.
Spend some money if necessary: Get one well-fitting "interview outfit." Get your hair styled.
Look a bit sharper than you usually do. lf lrou have a limited budget, borrow something! lt's that
important.
Constrder uslng a uniform: Some styles are almost alWays acceptable in certain jobs. For men
working in an office, a conservative business suit, white.bhirt; and conservative tie are alWay5
acceptable. A less formal approach would include gray slacks, a blue blazer, white or blue shirt,
Doing Well in a Job
Interview
83
and a conservative tie. For women, there are many more alternatives, but a simple tailored skirt,
matching jacket,'and white blouse are asafe choice. Women should notwear informal clothing
to a job interview.
ln jobs that don't require formal dress,.plan to dress a few notches above the clothing
you might normally wear in that job.
Discuss proper interview dress and grooming with friends and family before you finally
decide for yourself. You can also get good books at the libiary covering helpful tips for "dressing
for'success." After you've thought about it, write here how you plan to dress and groom for an
interview:
'
Researching
Know as much as you can about the organization before you go to an important
interview. Find out about the following things:
The Organization:
Size, number'ot employees
Major products or services
Competitors and the competitive environment
Major changes in policies or status
Reputation, values
Major weaknesses or opportunities
The lntervlewer:
Level and area of responslbility
Special work-related projects, interests; and accomplishments
Personal information (family, hobbies, etc.)
What sort of boss he or she is
Managementstyle
The Positlon:
Does an opening exist or do similar jobs exist?
What happened to others in similar i:ositions?
Salary range and benefits
Duties and responsibilities
What the last person did wrong (so you can avoid it) or right (so you can emphasize it)
.
Get There Eariy
Get to the interview a few minutes early. Make sure you know how to get there, and
allow plenty of time to get there. lf necessary, call the recepiionist for directions.
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Doing Well in
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Interview
Final Grooming
in a mirror and
Before you go in for the interview, stop in a rest room. Look at yourseif
rnake any final adjustments.
Waiting Room Behavior
room' They will
Assume that interviewers will hear about everything you do in the waiting
you treated the receptionist'
ask the receptionist how you conducted yourself-and hoW
The Receptionist
polite and friendly'
The receptionist's opinion of you matters. So go out of yourway to be
express appreciation for any help
If you spoke to the receptionist on the phone, mention that ahd
l
you were
offered.
If the Interviewer is Late
keeping you
lf the interviewer is late, you are lucky. He will probably feel bad about
waiting. And may give you bettei than average treatment to make. up for it'
at another
lf you have to wait over 20 minutes oi so, ask to reschedule your appointment
will probably
time. you don't want to act as if you have nothing to do. And, again, the interviewer
make it up to you later.
Phase 2: Opening Moves
The first few minutes of an interview are very important. lf you make a bad impression,
you probabiy won't be able to change it.
e
'dress and grcoming are. What else do
would affect
interviewers react to? List here at least three things interviewers can observe that
their impression of You.
t.
2.
3.
of an
Interviewers react to many things you say and do during the first few minutes
interview. Here are some of the things they mention most often:
Initial Greeting
is a
Be ready for a friendly greeting! Show you are happy to be there' Although this
handshake
Ousiness meeting, your sociilit<itts wiltne considered, too. A firm, but not crushing,
is needed unless the interviewer does not offer to shake hands.
Doing Well in a Job Interview 85
Posture
How you stand and sit can make a difference. You look more interested if you
lean
forward in your chair when talking or listening. lf you lean back, you may look
foo relaxed.
Voice
You may be nervous, but try to sound enthusiastic. Your voice should be neither
too soft
nor too loud. Practice sounding confident.
Eye Contact
Peop
Al
interviewer's
dishonest.
t look at a speaker's eyes are considered shy, insecure, and even
should never stare, )rou look more ccnfideni when you iook at the
you listen or speak.
Distracting Habits
t even notice. But pay attention! Most interviewers
h" over and over? you know what I mean?
The best way to see yourself as others do is to have someone videotape you
white you
role-play an interview' If that is not possible, become awarc of how
others see you and try to
change negative behavior. your friends and relatives can'he,p
Vru t; ;;il;'.ny annoying habits
you have that could bother an interviewer.
.P
chitchat. Favorite subjects are the weather,
:
similar topics. This charr-ing seems to
se firs.t fe,s minutes allow an interviewer to reiax
I
have
you and find out how you relate to each other.
write sorne th'ings you coutd do to make a gooci impression ciuring
this time:
There are many things you could do during the first
few minutes of an interview. The
are som e s ug gestio ns f ro m expe rie nced-inte rviewers.
fo | | owi n g
Allow things to happen: Relax. Don't feel you have to staii
a serious interview righi away.
smile: Look happy to be there and to meet the interviewer
Use the interviewer's name: Be formal. use I'Mister hogers';
or,,Ms. rvins;;unless you are
asked to use another na.me. Use their name as often
ar io, can in your conversation.
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Dqing W€lIin
a Job
Interview
compllment somethlng ln the Intervlewer's offlce:,Look for something you can compliment
you can
something you have ii common. Most offices have photographs or oth.er things
herself.
comment on-. bay no* great his kids look or ask whether she decorated the office
question to
Ask some openlng questlons: After a few minutes of friendly talk, you could ask a
get things started. For examPle:
or
,,1'd
me?"
like io know more about what your organization does. Would you mind telling
"l have a background in
might be best used in an organization such as yours."
and I'm interested in how these skills
Phase 3: The Interview Itself
This is the most complicated part of the interview. And it can last from 15 to 45 minutes
or more while the interviewei tries to find your str'engths and weaknesses'
problems you may
lnterviewe,-s may ask you almost anything. They are looking tor any
personality to do
have. They also want to be convinced that you hlve the skills, experience, and
a good job.
phase to talk about your
ft you have made a good impression so far, you can use this
qualifications.
-
Answering Problem Ques tions
could
job
rs said that over 90% of the people they interviewed for a
for
the,job.
had
estion. Over 80% could not explain the skills they
n
Thisisostjobseekers.ttkeepsmanyofthemfromgeftingagoodjob
that will use their skills.
90% Could Not Answer
B0% Could Not ExPlain
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LrSrt Att^^l'iano
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during
The following list shows the ten problem questions you are most likely to be asked
answers
for
looking
is
your interview. Theimay not be asked in just this way, bit the interviewer
to these questions.
Doing Well in a Job
Interview
87
Ten Most Frequently Asked Intervlew Questlons
1.
Why don't you tell me about yourself?
Why should I hire you?
2.
3. What are your major strengths
4. What are your major weaknesses?
5. What sort of pay do you expect to receive?
6. How does your previous experience relate to the jobs we have here?
7. What are your,plans for the future?
8. What will your former employers (or references) say about you?
9. Why are you looking for this sort of position and why here?
10.
Why don't you tell me about your personal situation?
The next chapter shows you how to answer these questions. It also shows you how to
answer other difficult questions. For now, let's look at the remaining phases of an interview.
Phase 4: Closi^g the Interview
All good things must end. You can close an interview as effectively as you began it.
Summariztng at the Finish
Take a few minutes to summarize the key points of the interview. lf any problems or
weaknesses canne up, state v;hy they v"'lll not keep you fi'om doing a good job.
Point out the strengths you have for this job and why you believe you can do it well.
Ask for the Job
if you are interestecj in ihe job, say so! [f you want this job, ask for it! Many employers
hire one person over another just because one person really wants it. And says so.
The Ca1l-Back Close
With the call-back close, you can end the interview to your advantage.
practice. You may not be comfortable with it at first. But it works! Here's how:
!t
wil! ta.ke sorne
The Call-Back Close
1. Thank the interviewer by name.
2. Express interest in the job and organization.
3. Arrange a reason and a time to callback.
4. Say good-bye.
88
DoingWell in
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Interview
I
a
\i
Here's what you do:
Thank the lntervlewer by name: While shaking hands, say'Thank you (Mr. or Mrs; or Ms.
Whomever) foryour time today."
Express interest: Tell them you are interested in the iosition or organization (or bothl),
whichever makes sense. For example: 'The position we discussed today is just what I have
been looking for. And I am very impressed by your oiganization, too."
Arrange a reason and a tlme to call back lf the interviewer has been helpful, he won't mind
your following up. lt's irhportant that you arrange a day and time to c'all. Neier expect the
employer to call you. Say something like this: "l'm sure l'll have questions. When would be the
best time for me to get backto you."
Say good-bye: After you've set a time and date to cqll back, thank the interviewer by name and
say good-bye. Like this, 'Thankyou, Mr. Pomeroy, for the time you gave me today. lwill catlyou
next Tuesday morning, between 9 and 10 o'clock."
Phase 5: FoIIow
.
Up
You have left the interview and it's over. Right? Not really. You need to follow up!This
can make the difference between yourgetting the job and someone else getting it. Here are
some things you must do.
Send a thank you note: As soon as'possible after the interview-no later than 24 hours-send
a thank you note. Enclose a JIST Caid,.too.
Make notes: Write yourself noies dbout the interview while it is still fresh in your minci. You wiii
not,iemember details in a week or so.
Follow up as promlsed: lf you said you would call back nextTuesday at 9, do it. You willsurely
impress the interviewer with how org-anized you are.
Thank You Notes
Sending a thank you note is a simple act of appreciation that hardly anyone ever does.
Thank you notes show your appreciation. And they also have practicalbenefits. People who
receive them will remember you. But employers say they rarely get a thank you note. They
descrlbe people who do send them with positive terms, such as thoughtful, weil-organized, and
thorough.
A thank you note Won't get you a job you're not qualified for, but it will impress people,
When a job opens up, they will remember you. People in your job-search networkwill also be
more interested in helping you. lf they know of an opening or meetsomeone who does, theywill
think of you.
Here are some tips for preparing thank you notes:
'
Paper and envelope: Use a good quality note paperwith.matching envelope. Most stationery
stores have them. Avoid cute covers. A simple "Thank You" oh the frontwilldo. Off-white and
buff colors are good.
DoingWell in aJob Interview
q.:
89
Typed vs. handwritten: Handwritten notes are fine unless your handwriting is itlegible or
sloppy. lf so, type them.
Salutatlon: Unless you are thanking a friend or relative; don't use first names. Write "Dear Mrs.
Krenshaw" rather than "Dear Vera." Include the date.
.
The note: Keep it short and friendly. This is not the place to write, lThe reason you should hire
me is. . . ." Remember, the note is a thank you for what the person did. lt is not a hard-sell pitch
for what you want. As appropriate, be specific about when you will next be in contact. lf you plan
to meet v,'ith the person scon, still send a note saying you looking foi"wai'd to meeting them and
narne the date and time.
Your slgnature: Use your first and last names. Avoid initials and make your signature legible.
.
When to send ltiSend your note no laterthan 24 hours afteryou make contaqt. ldeally, you
should write it immediately after the contact while the cieiails are fresh in your mind. Always send
a note after an interview, even if things did not go well.
Enclosure: Depending on the situation, a JIST Card is often the ideal enclosure. It's a soft sell
and provides your phone number if the person should wish to reach you. ("Gosh, that job just
opened upl Who was that person who called me last week?") MaKe sure your note cards are at
least as big as the JIST Card so you don't have to fold it.
2234 Riverwood Ave.
Philadelphia PA 17963
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4pilL6,7992
Jtou,ttt-
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irtffik;,,,
Ms. HelenA. Colcord
Ilcndcrson & Associarcs, Inc.
1801 Washington Blvd., Suite 1201
Philadelphia PA 17963
Ooto4o, ta,
199.L
DearMs. Colcord:
Thank you for sharing your timc widr rnc so gcncrously
today. I rcally appreciatcd seeing your sratc-of-thc-ar!
computer equipment.
Ycrt fta* Ja,,t
Crlnoac EolA
rto*a,
4"- n1..Jlmuoba
t
:,Your advice has akea<iy proved helpful. i have an
appointrncnt to meet with Mr. Robert Hopper on
fu you anticipatcd, hc docs intcnd to add more
computcr operators in,the next few months.
Friday.
In case you think of someonc else who might need a
person like me, I'm enclosiag anoher JISf Card. I will
letyou know how the interview with IvIr. Hopper goes.
.il'f
L
William Richardson
Doing WgJl in a Job Interview
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Sincerely,
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Phase 5: Negotiating Salary and Benefits
Let's imagine that the job you are interviewing for sounds ideal for you. But you still have
to answer some tough questions.
hat do you expect to get pald for thls po-sition?"
What would you say? Write it here:
Whatever you say, you will probably lose. Suppose the employer was willing to pay
$15,000 per year (or $7.00 per hour or whatever); lf you say you will take $13,500, guess what
you will be paid. That may have been the most expensive ten seconds in your life!
There are other ways you can lose, too. The employer may decide not to hire you at all.
He or she may think they need a person who is worth $15,000-which leaves you out. lf you
were clever, you may have asked for $16,500 and hoped you would get it. You could lose here,
too. Many employers would assume, you'll be unhappy with the salary they had in mind. Even if
you would have been happy to have it.
.
Salary Negotlatlon Rute 1: Never dlscuss salary until
you are being offered the job.
And now you understand wh1i.
You will learn more rules about negotiating salaries in the next chapter. This is one of the
problem questions most job seekers have troubie answering.
Phase 7: Maki^g a Final Decision
The interview process is not completely over until you accept a job. This can sometimes
be an easy decision to make. There are other times when deciding can be very hard.
The following form shows you how to put the positives and negatives of a difficult
decision down on paper. People who use this process tend to make better decisions. Some
research shows they also tend to be happier with what they did, even when it did not work out. '.
You can use this form to help you make any decision.
This example shows how one person used the form to conbider a job offer. The final
decision will always be yours to make, but this form can hdlp you make a good decision.
Doing Well in a Job
Interview
91
Decision-Making Worksheet
Option Consldered:
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interview' ln the next chapter you
You have now learned about the seven phases of an
how to answer these questions will
wi,, rearn to answer probrem interview quLstions. Knowing
help you to get the job You want!
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Doing Well in a Job Interview